Following Mate Higginson’s article on long time Star Editor Fred Michell we have been contacted by the grandson of the founder, Neil Closey. The founder was James Henry Claridge. This remarkable person had spent his working life establishing newspapers, thirteen in all, which once established he sold and moved on …

Maureen Thurlow was presented with the Red Cross Twenty Years Service Medal by Branch President Brian Love at the branch’s volunteer Christmas morning tea. Geoff Cave of Carterton received an Award for ten years service. Brian thanked members for volunteering for Red Cross and welcomed a very special guest speaker …

The South Wairarapa’s night sky is being monitored round the clock in Spain and contributing to a world-wide dark sky database, thanks to a European research team. The move follows Chairman of the Martinborough Dark Sky Society, Lee Mauger, making a connection via Twitter with fellow Dark Sky enthusiast Carlos …

“ Gardens are not made by singing” oh, how beautiful’ and sitting in the shade”- Rudyard Kipling Well here we are HOT; still going, and a little over 12 months since our first produce was harvested. Like everyone , at the moment the garden is suffering from intense heat, and …

Recent Articles:

Following Mate Higginson’s article on long time Star Editor Fred Michell we have been contacted by the grandson of the founder, Neil Closey. The founder was James Henry Claridge. This remarkable person had spent his working life establishing newspapers, thirteen in all, which once established he soldand moved on to the next town which he considered ready for one. James’ son and daughter wrote a book on their father’s experiences which his granddaughter published. Neilsent the Star a copy of the chapter on Martinbrough, which follows:

James Henry Claridge visited Martinborough first to see what reaction came to the idea of starting a paper in the town.He was received coolly when he visited business men to support him with advertising.Martinborough was then, as it is now, inclined to be conservative; farming made the town, and business supported the farmers, traditionally conservative and slow to change.They read the papers printed in Greytown and Carterton, and The New Zealand Times from Wellington.Why should they have as well a local paper.Because it is local, answered James. … Continue Reading

Emily and Alex Clark along with baby daughter Celeste and Alex’s 10-year-old son Jasper recently chose Martinborough as their new home town, and are now planning a new build just out of town.It just so happens Alex is a fully trained bicycle mechanic, so, when he popped into the Green Jersey bike shed to see if there was any work, he was greeted with “open arms”.

Whilst the Green Jersey fleet keep Alex busy, he is also available to service our local’s bikes. Local biker David Blake is a regular visitor, both for technical advice, a chat and bike maintenance and parts. David said “it’s a great step up for the town to have our own resident bike mechanic, we all need to support this service and make it permanent”.

The museum has been busy over the summer with visitor numbers for December up on the previous year.More than 200 people visiting during the month.January numbers have not yet been compiled but are also likely to be even higher given the museum has been open every day.

New Acquisitions

Martin Lawrence has gifted are a number of vintage items that belonged to his mother Nancy Lawrence (nee Martin).This includes a wrought iron “park bench” which will be set up on the north side of the museum to provide a sunny sitting area for visitors.The Mens Shed will be helping with this.The gift also includes other antique decorative items.

Interested in Local History?

We are looking for more people to meet and greet visitors and also to support the work that the museum does. If you have an interest in people or would like to be involved in preserving, displaying, researching or in other ways supporting local history then give us a call.Derek Wilson 306 9722, Chris Cassels 306 8286 or Jo Guscott 306 8240.

Kuranui College student Lucy Marshall is the 2019 NZ Mounted Games under fourteen champion. The title was achieved riding her pony Tommy at the New Zealand Championships were held over eight days in January at Christchurch.

The first two days were the singles championship preliminary rounds with the finals held on the third day.

Two days were then given to tuition given jointly by the New Zealandteam coach and an Irish trainer.

The Canterbury team championships wereheld over the last three days of the event. Lucy was a member of both the under seventeen and the open grade teams. Both teams won their competition.

Jeremy Thurston from Kahutara riding Copper was a member of the winning open grade team and was chosen as a member of the New Zealand team . Jeremy was also a member of the New Zealand team which competed in America last year.